Movies: Past, present and future

New York Film Critics moves awards date to see 'Dragon Tattoo'

November 21, 2011 | 12:49pm

The New York Film Critics Circle caused a bit of commotion back in October when it shifted its annual award selection up two weeks, making it the first critics' group in the country to announce picks for the best films and performances of the year. Monday, the group announced that it will delay its selection one day to be able to see David Fincher's highly anticipated "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Said the group's chairman, John Anderson, "We were looking forward to voting on Monday, Nov. 28, but due to conflicting schedules, we have made the decision to move back a day to ensure all of our voters have the opportunity to see all of the eligible films."

The group, composed of 33 New York-based critics, does not intend to shift its date again to entertain the needs of the Warner Bros. film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." According to representatives at the studio, the film, from director Stephen Daldry ("The Hours"), will not be available for viewing until Dec. 2.

Anderson said he was told that his membership would be able to see an unfinished print of the film, which costars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, prior to its deadline. But the studio now argues that it doesn't want to screen a movie that is not complete for a group of critics who will be evaluating it for review.

Whether someone balks at the standoff remains to be seen. The critics' circle clearly wants a complete picture of the year's films before it votes on which is the best. It's not clear if the filmmakers behind "Extremely Loud" will accommodate their needs.

Sony will roll out "Dragon Tattoo" Dec. 23; "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" will open in selected theaters Dec. 25.